Latest editorial
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron called for accelerating the development of a joint European army today, saying the continent “cannot rely on the United States.
“It’s up to us to meet our responsibilities and guarantee our security and therefore European sovereignty,” he declared in a speech to diplomats, saying they should step up discussions on “defence co-operation” across the continent.
Steps towards an EU army advanced in November when 23 of the bloc’s 28 members signed up to Permanent Structured Co-operation (Pesco), ending the longstanding neutrality of Austria and Ireland, which traditionally steered clear of military alliances.
The defence secretary’s resignation reveals not a split over principle but a dispute over pace of military spending, as Britain’s political Establishment unites behind deeper Nato commitments, argues NICK WRIGHT
While 69 per cent of Ukrainians want negotiated peace, Western leaders are cynically prolonging the war for their own strategic and economic goals, to the immense detriment of Ukraine and Europe, write BOB ORAM and MAGGIE SIMPSON
US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT
